Hospital Leader to Know: Ron Girotto, CEO of the Methodist Hospital System

As CEO of The Methodist Hospital System based in Houston, Ron Girotto sits at the head of a hospital system that oversees some of Texas' best hospitals, including the nationally renowned Methodist Hospital. The system's flagship is ranked among the country's best in 15 specialties — more than any other hospital in the state. The hospital's roster also includes an impressive list of physicians, many of whom have been featured in Castle Connolly's Best Doctors in America.

The hospital system, which has an operating budget of $1.6 billion and assets totaling $4.9 billion, opened its doors in 1919 and has grown to include San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas, Methodist Sugar Land (Texas) Hospital, Methodist Willowbrook (Texas) Hospital and Methodist West Houston Hospital.

Mr. Girotto was named president and CEO in 2002 after a year serving as acting president and CEO. During his tenure, he has focused on reinforcing relationships between the hospital system and its physicians, seeking new and enhanced program initiatives and continuing the longstanding affiliation between Methodist and Baylor College of Medicine.

He commented on his appointment, "Everything I do will be consistent with Methodist's mission to offer excellence, the highest quality medical care and service to our patients."

In addition to his work with the hospital system, Mr. Girotto has served on a variety of professional organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Greater Houston Hospital Council, where he held a term as chairman. He has also served on the board of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and chairman of the Houston-area American Heart Association's annual "Heart Walk."

Prior to working in healthcare, Mr. Girotto worked in the banking and gas industries for several years. He also served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps.

Mr. Girotto earned his master's in accounting from Kansas University and a graduate degree in banking from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He has also completed coursework in federal income tax from the University of Houston and in financial management and healthcare strategy at Harvard University.